Michael Collins

ELECTED ARWS 2008 & RWS 2013

Michael Collins grew up in Runcorn, Cheshire. He studied for a BTEC at Halton College, Widnes, a degree in Fine Art at John Moores, Liverpool and then for three years at the Royal Academy Schools, London.

Michael considers himself not so much a watercolour artist as an artist who uses watercolour, often as studies for acrylic or oil paintings. Recently he has combined gouache and watercolour to produce more finished pieces. Michael's work starts in front of the motif in the form of drawings and some photographs - he then continues to build the paintings in his studio. John Sell Cotman, early Italian painting from the 14th and 15th century and Bonnard are a few examples of the many sources that provide interest and inspiration in his work.

Michael has exhibited work at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions, and has had a solo exhibition at the Chappell Galleries. He won the Elizabeth Greenshields Award in 2003 and was Artist in Residence at the London Business School. Michael continues to paint and teaches Life Drawing, Watercolour and Painting at Sutton College, as well as a Portrait class at New Malden Centre.

collinsoncanvas.com